JPS622158A - Centrifugal separator - Google Patents

Abstract

Centrifugation apparatus characterised by a carrier including both a bucketto accommodate a sample chamber and means for supporting a specimen container adjacent to the sample chamber so that material in the specimen container can be pre-centrifuged and then transferred to the sample chamber for centrifugation therein, using automated transfer means. The apparatus may include a disaggregator cooperable with the specimen container to disperse the contents of the latter prior to pre-centrifugation. The transfer means may be a pipette with arrangements for both external and internal flushing and measured dilution of a transferred sample. There may also be means for supplying treatmentfluid to a reservoir of the sample chamber.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a centrifugal separator for centrifuging a suspension to separate solid valves for, for example, microscopic examination. In particular, the invention provides for centrifuging a liquid sample consisting of a cell suspension to perform a cytological examination;
The present invention relates to a technology that allows a cell layer to be easily formed for examination of cervical cell samples for cancer tumor examination by attaching the cell layer to an attachment surface such as a slide.

(Prior Art) A method is known in which a cell suspension is placed in a tube-shaped sample chamber and the open end thereof is stacked on a microscope slide or the like for examination. In this method, a windowed filter card is interposed between the sample chamber and the slide surface;
It is designed to seal between the two and absorb the liquid valve of the suspension. Then, due to the centrifugal action, a cell layer adheres to the slide surface, and the liquid valve of the suspension is absorbed by the filter card and removed. An example of a centrifugal valve+m device suitable for carrying out such a method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 146032/1982 (Japanese Patent Application No. 110352/1982).

The cell suspension to be subjected to centrifugation requires pretreatment, in particular centrifugation to uniformly disperse and adhere a single layer of cells over a relatively wide area, and automated inspection using an optical scanning device. Pre-processing is absolutely necessary in cases where it is desired to be possible. Cell samples obtained by scraping (smear) technology are collected in sample containers filled with collection fluid and sent to testing institutions, research laboratories, etc. When such a container reaches a testing institution, the cell sample in the container is usually aggregated, so it is necessary, for example, to stir the liquid to disperse it. As a result, relatively live cells are dispersed in a large amount of liquid, and therefore, it is necessary to bring the cells into a suitably concentrated state for centrifugation. Such an operation is performed, for example, by centrifugation to form compressed button-shaped cells.

Such a sample is then taken with a pipette,
It is diluted into a suspension of appropriate width and placed in the sample chamber of the centrifuge.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) These sample preparation steps are time-consuming and labor-intensive tasks, and furthermore, the relationship between a specific cell sample and records regarding the patient who provided the cells is likely to become unclear.

(Specific means for solving the problem) Therefore, the present invention is capable of efficiently performing the sample preparation process as described above, and in which the relationship between records regarding patients who have donated cells and specific cell samples is unknown. To provide a centrifugal separator that prevents

The gist of the invention is to include a bucket having a bucket that fits into a sample chamber and means for holding the sample container in close proximity to the sample chamber to centrifuge the material in the sample container and then centrifuge the material in the sample container. The present invention is characterized in that it has a configuration that allows the collected material to be transferred from the sample container to the sample chamber and centrifuged.

The sample chamber and the sample container can have different shapes depending on the needs, and are supported by a carrier, and the sample centrifuged in the sample container is transferred to the sample chamber. A description of the sample chamber is provided in patent application (1) co-filed with the present application, and this description is incorporated herein by reference.

The carrier is suitable for suspending the sample container, and is susceptible to the effects of gravity and centrifugal force.

The apparatus of the invention includes an arrangement for transferring material from the sample container to the sample chamber by means of transfer means selectively matching the position of the sample container and the sample chamber supported by the carrier.

The kitria also holds a sample container and a sample chamber at positions equidistant from the centrifugal axis of rotation, and the transfer means comprises a pipette at the common equidistant position from the centrifugal axis of rotation, and the carrier A dispersing means is provided for cooperating with a supported sample container to disperse the material in the container, and the dispersing means includes a probe that is positionable at the common distance from the centrifugal axis of rotation, and A means for introducing the probe into a sample container supported by a carrier, and a means for imaging the probe within the container using means such as ultrasonic waves.

The carrier can be freely attached to and detached from the centrifugal head, which facilitates attachment of the sample chamber and sample container.

(Example) Figures 1a to 1c show an example of a centrifugal separator according to the present invention. The device includes a base 1 containing a drive motor and various control devices (not shown), and a centrifugal head 2, and the head 2 is configured to rotate intermittently or continuously by the motor and control device 11. ing. The illustrated centrifugal head 2 is illustrated as having a simple disk structure for convenience of explanation, but this structure is similar to the head used in the cell centrifugation technique described in Japanese Patent Application No. 146032/1982. It has a similar structure, and has a sealable structure with a removable lid attached to a bowl-shaped container with a built-in carrier plate.

A plurality of sets consisting of a combination of a sample container 3 and a sample chamber equipped with a speculum slide are installed in the centrifugal head 2, and each set is attached to a carrier 4 containing a packet 5 holding a sample chamber. Ru. The sample chamber 3 is fixed in a relative position relative to the vertical axis of rotation of the head 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 1c, the sample container 3 is located at the entrance of the sample lamp chamber of the sample chamber of the packet 5. and equidistant from the centrifugal axis. In another example, the carrier includes the sample chamber and the sample container on a common axis relative to the centrifugal axis.

A control panel 6 is provided on the front side of the base 1 of the device, and a housing 7 is provided upright on the base that supports a hinged transparent cover (not shown), and includes a transport mechanism 9 and a dispersion mechanism. 10 are attached to the base 1, and a liquid container 11.
12.13 storage compartments are formed, and reference numeral 8 designates the lid (hinged) of the storage compartment.

The transfer means 9 comprises a carriage on which a vertically movable transfer pipette 14 is attached, the carriage being movable along a rail provided on the front face of the housing. Therefore, the transfer pipette 14 is introduced into the sample container 3, and after collecting a sample from the container, it is pulled up and moved to the sample chamber side, and when it reaches the sample chamber, it is lowered again and the collected sample is transferred to the sample chamber. Discharge into the sample light chamber of the chamber. The transfer mechanism is also equipped with a processing liquid collection pipette 14a attached to the carriage like the transfer pipette 14, and when the pipette 14a matches the position of the sample container 3, the processing liquid storage chamber of the sample chamber is moved. Matches the position.

The dispersion mechanism 10 comprises a probe 15 combined with a vibrator 16, which are mounted on a horizontally movable carriage, the probe 15 being vertically movable and introduced into the sample container 3; Ultrasonic vibrations are applied within the container to disperse the cytoplasmic material within the sample container.

Each of the liquid containers 11 and 12 contains, for example, a suspension such as salt water and a cell layer treatment solution such as a fixing solution (mordant), and the container 11 is connected to a washing mechanism for the pipette 14 and the dispersion probe 15. However, the volume "$i12" is associated with the pipette 14a of the transfer mechanism 9, and the pipette is used to transfer the container 1
2 liquid is collected and transferred to the processing liquid storage chamber of the sample chamber.

A pump mechanism 17 transfers the respective liquid from the container 11.12 to each pipette and to the cleaning mechanism of the probe 15.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 1a to 1c has a sample volume ff1
3, the cytoplasmic material placed in the chamber is pretreated, and then the cells are attached to the microscope slide in a single layer in a fully automatic manner.The steps are performed sequentially as follows. .

1. Move the dispersion mechanism 10 from the stop position shown in FIG. 1A to the right side, introduce the probe 15 of the mechanism into the sample container 3 shown in FIG. After this operation is completed, the probe is pulled up to the stopping position and a washing liquid is supplied from the container 11 to wash the probe.

2. Rotate the centrifugal head, align the dispersion mechanism 10 with the position of the sample container to be processed next, and perform the same process as step 1 above.

3. Repeat step 2 until the dispersion of the substance in all sample containers is completed, and return the dispersion mechanism 10 to the stop position.

4. Continuously rotate the centrifugal head 2 to form each cell suspended in the sample suspension in each sample container 3 into a cell button shape.

5. As shown in FIG. 1A, move the transfer mechanism 9 from the normal position to the left side, and align the pipette 14 with the sample container 3 (FIG. 1C).

6. Take a predetermined amount of cell buttons from the sample container with the pipette 14, wash the outer surface of the pipette with a predetermined amount of the suspension from the container 11, and release the washing liquid into the container 3;

7. Transfer the transfer mechanism 9 to the right side as shown in FIG. 1a. This is for moving the pipette 14 into the sample chamber of the packet 5 and transferring the contents of the pipette thereto, so that a predetermined amount of suspension from the container 11 is discharged into the sample chamber and inside the pipette 14. Flushing is performed.

8. Rotate the centrifugal head to align the sample container and sample chamber to be processed next with the transfer mechanism 9, and repeat step 6.7.

9. Repeat step 8 an appropriate number of times, supplying each sample tube with a cell sample from the associated sample container.

10. Continuously rotate the centrifugal head 2 at an appropriate speed to deposit a single layer of cells on the microscope slide set in each sample chamber.

If the structure of the sample chamber is appropriate, a processing liquid such as a fixer can be supplied from the container 12, and is supplied to the processing liquid storage chamber of each sample chamber through the pipette 14a to remove the cell molecules attached to the slide. Further necessary processing is performed.

This process involves pumping mechanism 17 for each sample chamber.
or by an appropriate additional step, the above step 6
These processes are carried out at the same time, and the process depends on whether the processing liquid is stored in the processing liquid storage chamber in advance in the sample chamber, or
(2) Depends on whether the sample chamber has to be fed after step 10. For example, if the sample chamber has a structure as described in the specification of patent application (1) filed concurrently with the present application, the processing liquid from the container 12 is supplied at the same time as the cell sample is removed from the sample container in step 6. The liquid is introduced into the processing liquid storage chamber of each sample chamber. After step 10, the centrifugal force is stopped, the processing liquid is allowed to flow down into the attachment chamber of each sample chamber, and the centrifugal force is restarted to distribute the processing liquid over the attached cell monolayer. let

In the present invention, a carrier is detachably attached to the centrifugal head 2, and the carrier supports a sample container and a sample chamber that are juxtaposed at equal distances from the centrifugal rotation axis.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a sample container 20, in which a collar 22 is formed on a tubular body 21, and two pairs of notches 23 are provided in the collar diametrically opposite each other.
These engage the ears of the carrier. A lid is screwed into the screw groove 24 at the open end, and the closed end 25 tapered inward acts as a pocket in which cytoplasmic material accumulates due to centrifugal action. Form packed cell buttons. The container is an injection molded product made of plastic such as polycarbonate, and the inner diameter of the collar 22 is larger than the outer diameter of the main body 21, and a flange 27 and a wear 28 are integrally molded thereon.

FIG. 3 shows a part of the centrifugal head 30 and a carrier 32, and the head 30 has a plurality of dovetail grooves 31 formed at predetermined intervals around its periphery. The protrusion 33 of the carrier 32 fits into the dovetail groove, and the carrier 32 and head 3 are connected.

The shape of the carrier, as shown in FIG. Parallel to the centrifugal axis of rotation, the inner wall 36 is sloped to match the shape of the sample chamber attached to the packet 34. An opening 38 is formed in the outer wall 37 into which a protrusion (not shown) of the sample chamber engages to prevent vertical movement of the chamber.

The carrier 30 is formed with a yoke 38, which is provided with ears 40, which are engaged with the notches 23 of one of the two pairs of sample containers 20, so that the container is supported by the carrier. When a centrifugal force is applied by the rotation of the centrifugal head, the container assumes a position as shown by a phantom line 41. The pair of ears 40 are located at the same distance from the sample lamp chamber of the sample chamber attached to the packet 32 and the centrifugal rotation axis, the sample container 20 and the sample lamp chamber are also located at the same distance from the centrifugal rotation axis, and the pair of ears 40 The transfer means can be aligned with a transfer means such as the pipette 14 shown in FIG. 1a by simply indexing or by moving the transfer means.

An example of a sample chamber is shown in FIG. 5, which is the same as that described in patent application (1) co-filed with the present application.
This sample chamber consists of a main body 5 which is a plastic molded product.
0. Rear door 51 connected to the main body by an integral hinge
Inside the main body 50, there is a vertically rectangular adhesion chamber (
(not shown), which communicates with the sample lamp chamber 52 via a communication portion (not shown), and the sample in the lamp chamber 52 moves to the deposition chamber when centrifugal force acts in the horizontal force direction.

The sample chamber further includes a processing liquid storage chamber 53 and a buffer chamber (
The processing liquid is moved from the processing liquid storage chamber to the sample lamp chamber 52 by centrifugal force that changes sequentially in the vertical direction, horizontal direction, vertical direction, and horizontal direction. Then, from there, it moves to the attachment chamber.

The rear door 51 is for attaching a filter card and a slide to the attachment chamber of the main body of the sample chamber.
It is closed by a latch 54. The protrusion 55 of the rear door 51 is
When engaged with the opening 38 of the carrier and subjected to centrifugal force,
Prevent up and down movement of the sample chamber within the packet.

The operation of the apparatus described above has been outlined in connection with FIGS. 1a to 1C, and the operation is automated, bringing the sample chamber and sample container into close proximity, thereby facilitating automatic recording. You can also.

For example, bar codes or machine-readable markings are used to match speculum specimens to patient records. For example, patient details may be entered on a record card and sample container, part of which is affixed with a barcode tag, and the other part affixed to a sample chamber and/or slide with cells, and the patient's record is Once this information is recorded in the records on the inspection side, displays such as barcodes can be read and various types of verification can be easily and automatically performed.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, a centrifugal separator for performing automatic microscopy using a cytoplasmic sample attached to a speculum slide is provided, and this device is capable of fully automatic operation, and is capable of performing centrifugal separation. efficiency will be greatly improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1a to FIG. 1C are a front view, a side view, and a plan view, respectively, showing the centrifugal separator of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a sample container. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a portion of a removable carrier attached to the centrifugal spatula of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and supporting the sample container shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the detachable carrier shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a side view of an example sample chamber that fits into the carrier packet of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3...Sample container 30...Carrier 34...Bucket 50...Sample chamber

Claims (9)

[Claims] (1) A carrier having a bucket that fits into a sample chamber and means for holding the sample container in close proximity to the sample chamber, centrifuging the material in the sample container, and then transferring the centrifuged material to the sample. A centrifugal separator characterized by having a configuration that allows a sample to be transferred from a container to a sample chamber and centrifuged. (2) The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier is suitable for suspending a sample container. (3) The material is transferred from the sample container to the sample chamber by a transfer means selectively matching the positions of the sample container and the sample chamber supported by the carrier. Device according to Section 2. (4) The carrier holds the sample container and the sample chamber at a position equidistant from the centrifugal axis of rotation, and the transfer means comprises a pipette at the common equidistant position from the centrifugal axis of rotation. Device according to paragraph 3. (5) An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising dispersion means for dispersing the material in the container in cooperation with the sample container supported by the carrier. (6) The dispersing means includes a probe that can be positioned at the common distance from the centrifugal rotation axis, a means for introducing the probe into a sample container supported by a carrier, and a means for vibrating the probe within the container. Device according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that it consists of: (7) An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by supply means cooperating with the sample container supported by the carrier and supplying the processing liquid to the sample chamber. (8) A device according to any one of claims 4 or 6 and 7, characterized in that the supply means consists of a supply pipette that can be positioned at a common distance from the centrifugal axis of rotation. (9) The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier is freely attachable to and detachable from the centrifugal head.